and secretary of defense saying no, sir? that doesn't make sense to me. it's easy for the president of the united states to come forward and tell the american people here is my execute order because there is no such thing as the military going off and doing something without that execution order so i'd like to see the execution order. >> would the president have a case to say look this is an emergency situation? things are developing now. i want to you speak to your general in the theater and have him make a judgment whether or not this is a wise, smart to do anything point? >> president reagan used to give those orders all the time. up to you guys. do what you think is best. that would be fine. he'd say sir do i have permission to enter libyan space? president says yes. done. general hamm had a detachment of 130 marines assigned to him and had all kinds of aircraft. they could have been there within two hours, they would have been more than willing to go. general hamm had assets. he told i congressman he was never given an execute order to enter libya. t